What survives a 3MF-to-STL conversion?
Use STL when another application needs surface triangles. Keep the original 3MF for everything that belongs to the project.
| Information | MeshMend STL output |
|---|---|
| Supported triangle geometry | Preserved, including selected build transforms |
| Declared source units | Coordinates converted to millimeters; STL has no standard unit field |
| Component positions | Preserved; overlapping solids are not boolean-unioned |
| Colors, textures and materials | Removed |
| Printer, plate and filament settings | Removed |
| Original CAD feature history | Not reconstructed |
Verify the scale with a known input
The converter includes a tetrahedron with one-inch extents in X, Y and Z. Its declared unit is inch. The result spans 25.4 mm on each axis. After download, import the STL in millimeters and compare those dimensions.
Several parts in one package
A 3MF build may place the same object more than once or assemble it from component references. MeshMend follows those references and transforms; it does not simply export every object resource in the ZIP. Choose an individual build item when you only want part of the build.
A conversion error is useful information
Required extensions can affect geometry. If this version cannot interpret one, conversion stops rather than silently dropping it. Mixed units across separate model parts are also rejected in this version. Open the file in its source slicer and export a standard mesh or STL.